…We Saw Selection, Not Election
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) said turnout was worryingly low in many polling units, with some recording barely 10 voters all day.
The groups warned that shrinking participation signals growing public distrust in the electoral process,pointing out that “When citizens stop showing up at the polls, democracy quietly loses its voice.”
“That was the stark warning from civil society groups as concerns mounted over voter apathy and alleged irregularities in recent elections in the FCT, Rivers and Kano states.”
Observers also flagged late deployment of materials in parts of Abuja, accessibility barriers for persons with disabilities in Kwali and Abaji, and alleged voter suppression targeting women in crowded communities.
Incidents of vote buying and confusion over relocated polling units were also reported.
CISLAC and TMG further accused the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of inappropriate involvement after he reportedly visited multiple polling units, describing the move as capable of undermining public confidence.
In Rivers, a heavy security presence was said to have discouraged turnout, while in Kano and Rivers, the absence of major parties from bye-election ballots raised questions about fairness.
The groups also cited disruptions on INEC’s IReV portal during collation.
They urged INEC to fix logistics, improve transparency and safeguard inclusion ahead of future elections, warning that failure to act could further erode trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
,,,Wike Hails Outcome of Polls, Lashes Out At Opposition Parties
In the meantime, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the peaceful conduct of the Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory
The Minister who hailed the peaceful conduct of the elections. described the outcome as true reflection of identity of the ruling party and the real opposition party in the country.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari Area Councils, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory only in Gwagwalada
Wike in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka said the peaceful conduct of the election was a testament to the commitment of the people of the FCT to democracy and good governance.
The Minister said the election further exposed the hypocrisy of people who go about buying corn and groundnut from roadside sellers for the purpose of campaign just to deceive Nigerians
He added that “the residents of FCT demonstrated that they cannot be deceived by emergency democrats, who have chosen not to see anything good in Nigeria and its government.”
